What is the fifth and last day of Nepal's Tihar festival called?

The fifth and last day of Nepal’s Tihar festival is called Bhai Tika.

Bhai Tika celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters traditionally apply a tika, or ritual mark, to their brothers’ foreheads, offer prayers for their protection and long lives, and exchange gifts with them. Brothers likewise honor and support their sisters.

The day is associated with the story of Yamuna and her brother Yama, the Hindu god of death. In the legend, Yamuna’s ritual care and blessings helped protect her brother, inspiring customs involving sacred water, oil, garlands and tika. The makhamali flower, known for lasting a long time, is traditionally used in the ceremony.

The earlier Tihar days honor crows, dogs, cows, oxen and wealth, so Bhai Tika is easy to confuse with Gai Tihar or Kukur Tihar. Mha Puja is another Tihar observance, especially associated with self-worship in Nepal’s Newar community, but it is not the festival’s final day.